Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 390

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 390
Having experienced this kind of atmosphere so frequently, I could already predict what reaction would come.
First, silence, followed by a hollow laugh, and then….
“Now listen here. What did you just say? Gratitude? Are you suggesting we should be thanking you?”
He’d heard it all, yet he asked again for no reason.
How predictable it all was.
Dokgo Myeong didn’t respond to Sim Wi-ryong’s words and instead gazed at Baek Mu-heun.
“Baek Sect Leader.”
“Speak.”
“You invited me from afar, yet the atmosphere seems different from what I expected. Perhaps I’ve been misunderstanding something?”
At those words, Baek Mu-heun suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hehehehe.”
As all eyes turned toward him, Baek Mu-heun gave a light bow to those gathered and opened his mouth.
“My apologies. It was such an unexpected remark.”
Baek Mu-heun’s gaze returned to Dokgo Myeong.
“Hmm, an invitation…. Yes, that’s not incorrect. It’s fair to say I invited you as a guest on behalf of the Alliance.”
“I see. I thought perhaps I was an uninvited guest.”
At Dokgo Myeong’s glib remark, Sim Wi-ryong’s expression hardened.
“What kind of manner of speech is that?”
Dokgo Myeong met Sim Wi-ryong’s eyes again and continued calmly.
“I heard the Alliance was a gathering of righteous martial artists of the orthodox sects who united their will for a greater cause. I came because I cooperated with that purpose and intend to continue doing so.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Then why do you display such petty territoriality?”
“…Territoriality?”
Sim Wi-ryong’s expression grew even more rigid.
In terms of rank, Sim Wi-ryong was roughly twice Dokgo Myeong’s level. Moreover, as the leader of a faction, his position could not be ignored. It was an excessively disrespectful tone to dismiss as mere youthful audacity.
“Mind your words. I won’t warn you twice.”
At that response, Dokgo Myeong couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
And he lifted his head to survey those gathered.
Aside from Sim Wi-ryong, the other Alliance members simply stared at Dokgo Myeong in silence.
“They say too many boatmen steer the boat up a mountain. Haven’t I dragged the world to this point instead of the Alliance, which had been shuffling along like an old donkey all this time?”
Crash!
Finally, Sim Wi-ryong’s hand came down on the table.
“You’ve finally crossed the line! How can you be so reckless!”
“Reckless as it may be, didn’t I crush eighty percent of the Jeongheol Sect’s captains and send two of the Three Emperors to the afterlife?”
“…!”
“You’ve all been working so hard, sitting here with your heads together, discussing matters of face and propriety, but meanwhile I’ve been severing those bastards’ limbs. This is quite something—I’ve done the work for you, so shouldn’t you at least offer thanks or some polite words instead of nothing?”
“This…!”
It was just as Sim Wi-ryong was about to raise his voice.
“Then.”
Someone’s voice cut through the silence, resonating softly across the gathering.
All eyes turned toward the speaker.
“What do you believe we should have done?”
The voice belonged to none other than Heo Un-jin.
His deep voice carried a profound gravity and gentleness.
“Someone needed to seize control of the current and push forward more decisively. Both the Alliance and the martial world itself.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“That’s precisely why the Martial Alliance is necessary.”
“Have you ever seen a mountain after a heavy downpour? The rushing water sweeps away countless things without mercy, leaving devastation in its wake.”
“That’s simply the nature of war.”
“You cannot justify everything under that reasoning alone. If we ignore the process in the name of war, what remains?”
“Victory. Victory remains.”
“If you tear up the earth indiscriminately to plant a great tree, what fault lies with the lush grasses and flowers that once grew there? Can such actions truly be called the Great Way?”
Heo Un-jin’s voice spread calmly throughout the room.
His mere words could soothe the hearts of men. Regardless of right or wrong, the voice of one respected as a master carried such profound gravity.
“What you speak of is the Tyrannical Way. Do you intend to walk that path?”
“If necessity demands it!”
Dokgo Myeong met Heo Un-jin’s gaze directly.
“If necessity demands it, why couldn’t I walk the Tyrannical Way? It has always been tyranny that brought order to chaotic times. Virtue and cooperation alone cannot win wars.”
Heo Un-jin spoke with a sigh.
“Indeed… it was precisely that nature and ideology of yours that made me oppose you.”
Dokgo Myeong had no response to that cutting remark.
“Do you understand that your confidence today, and the achievements that enabled it, were only possible because countless members of the Alliance shed blood beneath the surface?”
“Yes, I understand. That is why I accepted the Alliance’s invitation and sit here now.”
Dokgo Myeong spoke calmly.
“Moreover, precisely because of that, I came knowing—yet pretending not to know—that you were testing me.”
This time, Heo Un-jin’s words faltered.
Baek Mu-heun interjected with a subtle smile.
“When did you realize?”
“Roughly from the beginning.”
The atmosphere grew tense.
Then, Dokgo Myeong suddenly assumed a respectful posture and bowed to Sim Wi-ryong, with whom he had exchanged sharp words.
“I deliberately spoke harshly just now. Please do not take offense, Alliance Leader.”
“You… how did you see through it?”
Sim Wi-ryong’s voice trembled slightly with surprise.
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly.
“For someone picking a quarrel, your words and conduct were far too refined.”
“…Heh.”
Sim Wi-ryong let out a hollow laugh.
Dokgo Myeong too felt a hollow laugh rising within him.
‘In a world where everyone curses everyone else, who in their right mind would pick a fight with someone over propriety?’
Regardless, Baek certainly carried himself with the dignity befitting an elder.
If our Cheonma Sect disciples heard him speak like that, they’d be absolutely scandalized. Those fools always lead with curses—I have no idea where they learned such manners.
It was then that Heo Un-jin spoke again.
“Since it was I who suggested this approach, blame me, not Captain Sim. He merely obliged my request.”
“I harbor no resentment. I believe it was justified.”
“It appears I’ve tested you unfairly, and I apologize sincerely. Everyone’s silence was due to me, so please don’t resent them for it.”
Heo Un-jin bowed his head with a respectful tone, offering his apology.
Not only Dokgo Myeong but all the distinguished figures gathered there were greatly taken aback. Regardless of the disparity in status and seniority, he had bowed without hesitation to this young prodigy.
Dokgo Myeong spoke urgently.
“Please, there’s no need. Don’t do this. My family’s Sect Leader tests people by pushing them to the brink, so incidents like this are commonplace for us.”
“Hah, my cultivation is still shallow, and I ended up testing a brilliant young man like yourself. Thank you for accepting my apology. And I express my sincere gratitude for gracing this gathering with your presence.”
“Please be at ease. This junior doesn’t know where to put himself, Master.”
As Dokgo Myeong spoke with genuine discomfort, the atmosphere around them warmed considerably.
Yet Dokgo Myeong’s eyes remained unchanged.
‘In the end, they won’t broach the truly important matter.’
That earlier exchange wasn’t merely a test. It was the genuine sentiment of Heo Un-jin and those who stood against him.
None of the conflict between us had been resolved.
Dokgo Myeong exhaled sharply.
‘Now, how am I to handle this?’
Would the karmic bonds of my past life become enmity in this one?
* * *
A chill ran through me.
As Dokgo Ak made his way down Deungyong Street, a sudden shiver raced down his spine, causing his body to tremble.
Dokgo Ak’s eyes snapped open.
‘This is… the feeling I get when Myeong-i hyung does something reckless!’
That familiar sense of dread. He was undoubtedly stirring up trouble somewhere again.
‘No, wait. It might be nothing. Surely…’
But why did this chill persist?
That was when it happened.
“…You there! Hey! You!”
Tug!
Someone suddenly grabbed Dokgo Ak’s shoulder and yanked him back.
“Huh? Y-yes?”
“If you’re not registering, then move! Don’t you see the line behind you!?”
“…?”
“Tsk! Are you submitting your token or not! Make a decision!”
Not only those lined up behind him but even the Hwasan Sect Inner Disciple seated ahead was frowning and shouting loudly.
Right.
Now that he thought about it, he had been standing in line to register for the Deungyong martial tournament.
“Yes, yes, I’ll participate. Here’s my token.”
“…Dokgo Ak of the Dokgo Family? Captain of Cheonma Sect?”
“That’s right. I am Dokgo Ak.”
“You’re from the Dokgo Family?”
“It’s written right there, isn’t it? Why ask something so obvious?”
The Hwasan Sect inner disciple, alternating his gaze between the token and Dokgo Ak, let out a snort of laughter.
“Well, I’ll be. It seems the reputation of Cheonma Sect’s Five Dragon Generals has grown quite a bit these days.”
“Huh? Five Dragon Generals? What’s that?”
“You claim to be the Fierce Dragon General, yet you don’t know what the Five Dragon Generals are?”
“No, what is that? I’m hearing about it for the first time.”
What’s this?
Why do I feel subtly disrespected right now?
“Fine. Your registration is confirmed. Just show up on time.”
“Hey, wait. What was that reaction? I was speaking to you….”
“Next!”
“Move it, punk! Don’t you see how many people are behind you!”
“Oh, no….”
“Get moving!”
“Damn it! Seriously!”
Dokgo Ak was eventually shoved aside by the crowd pressing behind him.
‘Damn. Do these bastards not know who I am?’
For a moment, the reckless beast within me poked its head up, but he soon let out a deep sigh and suppressed his anger.
‘I’m not like that brother Dokgo Myeong. I can’t just cause a scene anywhere.’
Honestly, he was more afraid of what he might hear if he acted out recklessly.
But what was that reaction all about?
By any measure, he should have looked like a young master from a prestigious family….
“….”
Dokgo Ak lowered his head slightly to examine his own appearance, his expression growing grim.
‘I look like a beggar.’
His high-quality martial robes had become nothing but rags.
Had he been so focused on training all this time? Come to think of it, when was the last time he’d done laundry?
“Sigh, I should wash up before the preliminaries.”
Dokgo Ak trudged back to his lodgings.
Even then, he remained oblivious.
Dokgo Ak, who had now developed a presence far too extraordinary to be disrespected anywhere.
What it meant that the posterior disciples participating in the martial tournament had failed to sense his aura.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong scratched at his ear and clicked his tongue.
‘Tsk, someone was talking about me? I’m sure it was that bastard Dokgo Ak. You’re finished.’
A man who had only seen his comrades shine, forgetting how brightly he himself shone. Perhaps experiencing it directly would make him realize something.
‘That bloated fool has far too many idle thoughts. Though I’m hardly one to judge others.’
While that one cowered before the Posterior Disciples, I found myself conversing with titans whose very names made the mind reel.
“A pleasure to meet you. So you are Tianhua of Hwasan.”
“I am honored to meet the Hwasan Sect Leader.”
“Haha, you’ve endured much hardship. I am Ga Tae-baek, Alliance Leader of the Heavenly Martial Alliance. I’ve collaborated with the Golden Mountain Pavilion on numerous occasions.”
“The honor is entirely mine.”
Introductions passed back and forth in an atmosphere of goodwill. I had braced myself for the worst, yet the reception proved far more favorable than anticipated.
Or perhaps…
‘They are merely feigning cordiality.’
All present were representatives of their respective sects.
They had undoubtedly gathered under the banner of opposing the Jeongheol Sect, yet could one truly trust that a common enemy bound them together?
Dokgo Myeong’s answer was no.
When two or more people gather, interests emerge; and interests inevitably lead to politics.
In any case, the exchange of pleasantries proceeded smoothly enough.
The real problem came after.
“Then shall we move to the heart of the matter? I believe it would be prudent to finalize various matters concerning the Martial Alliance at this gathering.”
The moment Baek Mu-heun uttered those words, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Serious deliberations commenced, and Heo Un-jin began spouting preposterous demands.
‘So this was the warning Baek Mu-heun had given me.’
Having barely surmounted one hazing ordeal like a cunning old fox, an even greater mountain loomed ahead.
The Wudang Sect and the Three Emperors—formidable peaks indeed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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